Spring resistant type exercising device

ABSTRACT

A physical exerciser having first and second elongated members so mounted as to permit the members to slide longitudinally relative to one another. First and second handles respectively are carried by the members on the ends thereof remote from one another. Resilient members are disposed between the members to resist movements of the handles towards one another. Pulling exercises are effected by pulling the rope lengths, positioned between the two handles, apart to cause the handles to move towards one another. Extension of the resilient members cause sliding movements of the members towards one another.

United States Patent 11 1 Cox [ SPRING RESISTANT TYPE EXERCISING DEVICE[75] Inventor: John William Cox, London, England [73] Assignee: CompretN.V., Amsterdam,

Netherlands [22] Filed: June 7, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 150,649

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 11, 1970 Great Britain28,426/70 Oct. 7, 1970 Great Britain 47,693/70 [52] U.S. Cl 272/82,272/DIG. 5, 272/83 R [51] Int. Cl. A63b2l/02, A63b 21/00 [58] Field ofSearch 272/82, 83 R, 79 R,

272/DIG. 5, 79 C [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,633,908l/l972 I Krauth.; 272/82 829.754 ",8/1906 Bailey 272/82 1451. July 17,1973 2,132,862 10/1938 Pilates .1 272/83 R FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 968,180 8/1964. Great Britain 272/82 Primary Examiner-AntonO. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-William R. Browne Attorney-Karl W. F locks[57] ABSTRACT A physical exerciser having first and second elongatedmembers so mounted as to permit the members to slide longitudinallyrelative to one another. First and second handles respectively arecarried by the members on the ends thereof remote from one another.Resilient members are disposed between the members to resist movementsof the handles towards one another. Pulling exercises are effected bypulling the rope lengths, positioned between the two handles, apart tocause the handles to move towards one another. Extension of theresilient members cause sliding movements of the members towards oneanother.

15 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PAIENTEBJUL 1 1:913 5 39 SHEU 1 UF 2INVEN-TOR JOHN WILLIAM (0X KARL U Fzacn W ATTORNEY PAIENTED JUL 1 7 maSHLEI 2 UF 2 SPRING RESISTANT TYPE EXERCISING DEVICE BACKGROUND TO THEINVENTION This invention relates to a physical exerciser to be used fora large variety of physical exercises for training and strengthening themuscular system of the human body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there isprovided a physical exerciser comprising first and second elongatedmembers, mounting means to permit the members to slide longitudinallyrelative to one another, first and second handles respectively carriedby the members on the ends thereof remotefrom one another andresilientmeans acting between the members so that the resilient means isextended upon sliding movement of the members when the handles are movedtowards one another.

Preferably, the first elongated member is a first tubular member and thesecond elongated member is slidably mounted therein to provide atelescopic unit.

Preferably, the second elongated member extends freely within the firsttubular member and a second tubular member is a sliding fit over thefirst tubular membet and is secured to the secondhandle.

Advantageously,the resilient means is connected between the inner endsof the first and second elongated members.

In one preferred embodimentthe second elongated member carries a'pulleytowards its inner end and the firsttubular member is provided with abush towards its inner end, the bush being apertured to receive thesecond elongated member as a sliding fit, the resilient means comprisinga resilient cord which passes around the pulley and is secured at itsends to the bush.

In another preferred embodiment the firsttubular member carries at itsinner end a bush apertured to receive the second elongated member andthe latter carries at its inner end a flange received as asliding fit inthe first tubular member, the resilient means being connected betweenthe collar and the flange.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention will now bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows, partially in section, a first physical exerciser havingtelescopically arranged tubes;

FIG. 2 shows an elevation of one of the handles of FIG.'1;

FIG. 3 shows schematically and partially in section, a second physicalexerciser; and

FIGS. 4 and 5 show modifications to the physical exerciser of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS In the drawings like referencenumerals indicate the same orsimilar parts.

Referring to FIG. 1, the physical exerciser includes inner tube 1 andouter tube 2 arranged as a telescopicallyslidable unit, the free ends ofsaid tubes 1, 2 each being adapted frictionally to receive the spigot3of its handle4. Thetubes 1,2 house resilient meanswhich resist axialcompression of the telescopiallyslidable unit so that the physicalexerciser may be employed for compression exercises. The spacing betweenthe tubes l, 2 is exaggerated for simplification of the drawing, therebeing a sliding fit therebetween.

The resilient means comprises a so-called shockcord 5, which comprises amultiplicity of synthetic rubber yarns encased by a woven Terylenesheath, anchored at its ends 6 in diametrically opposed holes in a bush7 secured tothe inner ends of the tube 1. The bush 7 is molded fromplastics material and secured frictionally in the tube 1. It ispossiblehowever for the bush 7 to be maintained in position solely by thetension in the cord 5.

The spigot 3 of handle 4 carried by the tube 2 mounts a rod 8 bifurcatedatits inner end to receive a pulley 9 around which the shock-cord 5 ispassed. A guide member 10 is attached to one of the bifurcated portionsof the rods to inhibit disengagement of the cord 5 from thepulley 9. Asshown the rod 8 is frictionally received in a socket 11 in said spigot3.

It will be appreciated that the shock-cord 5 will resist axialcompression of the tubes 1, 2 when the tubes are axially compressed bythe user thereof.

The physical exerciser is adapted to provide expansion exercises byjoining the handles 4 with an endless rope 12 comprising aplastics-coated steel cable. The rope enters the handle 4 through anaperture 13 and leaves the handleby a diametrically-opposed aperture 14.By pulling on the two standing parts of the rope transversely of theexerciser the telescopic unit is also compressed againstthe tension inthe shock-cord 5.

Each of thehollow handles 4 is moulded from plas' tics material andincludes finger grips constituted by depressions 15 therein and splines16 forming a tight friction fit inthe free endof its respective tube 1,2.

It will be appreciated that the telescopic unit essentially includes afirst elongated member, the tube 1 and a elongated member, the rod 8.The tube 2 is not essential to the construction since the rod 8 isguided by the bush 7. It is however, advantageous in terms of thestrength and the appearance of the exerciser to provide the tube 2.

It will be readily appreciated that the rope 12 may comprise twoseparate lengths between the handles'4. In either case, the lengths ofrope 12 are, preferably, selected to ensure that when the exerciser isin its relaxed position the cord 5 remains under tension.

Referring toFIGf3 of thedrawing, there is shown a physical exercisergenerally similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprising a tube 1carrying at its outer cated by chain lines 116 extends between and is secured to the bush 7 and the flange 17. A rope 12 having two lengthsextends'between the two handles 4. Once again the rope may be endlesspassing through the handles at apertures l3, 14 or it may be in twoseparate lengths secured tothehand grips. A further tube 2 may besecured to the (left hand)handle 4 (FIG. 3) to embrace the tube 1. Thehandles 4 of the physical exerciser shown in FIG. 3 are also providedwith spigots 3 which are not shownin this simplified drawing.

In the physical exerciser shown in FIG. 1 the resilient member 5comprises a number of strands of elasticated cord. In the modifiedphysical exerciser described with reference to FIG. 3 the extensibleresilient member 116 may be a single coil spring embracing the rod 8 andsecured at its ends to the bush 7 and the flange 17. Alternatively, themember 116 could be a multiplicity of coil springs surrounding themember 8 and also secured to the bush 7 and the flange 17. Whatever thenature of the member 116, it is preferably so arranged in relation tothe lengths of rope 12 that the member 116 remains in slight tensionwhen these lengths are taut in the relaxed attitude of the physicalexerciser.

FIG. 4 shows a modification of the physical exerciser of FIG. 3 in whichchain lines 18 indicate compressible resilient means extending betweenthe flange l7 and the closed end of the tube 1 adjacent the handle 4.The

resilient means 18 could be a single coil compression spring.Alternatively the compressible resilient means may comprise one or moreconcertina springs of resilient strip material. Yet still alternativelythe space between the flange 17 and the closed end of the tube 1 couldbe wholly or partially filled with compressible material. Suchcompressible material could comprise a number of balls of rubber,.spongerubber, or plastics material either solid or hollow.

FIG. 'shows a further modification of the physical exerciser of FIG. 3in which a coil compression spring 19 is shown embracing the member 8 toact between the bush 7 and the closed end of the tube 2 adjacent thehandle 4. Again it will be understood that the spring 19 could bereplaced by one or more concertina springs as described above or amultiplicity of balls or blocks of compressible material of annularformation. In addition, FIG. 5 shows the resilient means 18 in the formof a coil spring embracing a rod 20 extending coaxially through the tube1 from its handle 4 and having its forward end slidable within themember 8 which in such case is of tubular form. I

When the coil compression springs are employed it is advantageous toencase them in sleeves of plastics material. g y

In all the above arrangements it will be understood that the apparatusmay be provided with a sliding scale performance meter by calibratingthe exerciser by marking graduations onthe outer surface of the tube 1.

I claim;

l. A physical exerciser comprising a hollow tubular member open at oneend, a first handle attached to the end of said hollow tubular memberremote from said one end, an elongated member having a part extendinginto said tubular member through said open end and displaceablelengthwise within said tubular member, a second handle attached to theend of said elongated member remote from said part thereof, 'guidemembers guiding and supporting said elongated member for said lengthwisedisplacement, a resiliently extensible means being disposed within saidhollow tubular member and connectcd to and extending between the openend of said hollow tubular member and said part of said elongated memberextending into said tubular member and operable for resiliently opposinginward displacement of said elongated member into said tubular member,and limiting connected to and extending between said tubular member andsaid elongated member for limiting outward displacement of saidelongated member with respect to said tubular member.

2. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 1, wherein the limitingmeans comprises a rope having two portions, each extending between thefirst and second handles.

3. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 1 wherein the elongatedmember extends freely within the tubular member and a second tubularmember is a sliding fit over the first tubular member and is secured tothe second handle.

4. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 1 wherein the guide memberscomprise a bush located at the end of the hollow tubular member remotefrom its handle, the bush being apertured to receive the elongatedmember, a pulley mounted on the end of the elongated member and whereinthe resiliently extensible means comprises a resilient cord which passesaround the pulley and which is secured at its ends to the bush.

5. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 4 wherein the resilient cordcomprises a multiplicity of synthetic rubber yarns encased by a sheath.

6. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 4 comprising a guide memberattached to the elongated member to inhibit disengagement of theresilient cord from the pulley.

7. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 1 wherein the guide memberscomprise a bush located at the end of the hollow tubular member remotefrom the first handle, a flange located at the end of the elongatedmember remote from the second handle, the bush being apertured toreceive the elongated member and the flange being received as a slidingfit in the hollow tubular member, and wherein the resiliently extensiblemember is connected to and extending between the bush and the flange.

8. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 7 wherein the resilientmember comprises a single coil spring embracing the elongated member.

9. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 7 wherein the resilientmember comprises a multiplicity of coil springs which are disposedaround a second elongated member.

10. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 7 further comprising anadditional resilient member arranged between the flange and the firsthandle.

11. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 10 further comprising afurther additional resilient member arranged between the bush and thesecond handle.

12. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 11 wherein each of theadditional resilient members each comprises at least one coil spring;

13. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 7 further comprising a rodcarried by the first handle said rod being received in an. aperture inthe flange to protrude into the elongated member which is tubular.

14. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 7 wherein the displacementlimiting member comprises a rope having two portions each of saidportions extending between the first and second handles.

15. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 1 wherein the limiting.member comprises a rope which is endless and passes through thehandles.

. i I t i 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIONPATENTNO. 3,746,339

DATED 3 July 17, 1973 INVENTOR(S) I John W. COX

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In claim 1, line 17, after "limiting",

W G F O 0 insert means Signed and Scaled this Thirteenth Day Of February1979 [SEAL] Attest:

DONALD W. BANNER RUTH C. MASON Q Arresting Ojficer Commissioner ofPatents and Trademarks

1. A physical exerciser comprising a hollow tubular member open at one end, a first handle attached to the end of said hollow tubular member remote from said one end, an elongated member having a part extending into said tubular member through said open end and displaceable lengthwise within said tubular member, a second handle attached to the end of said elongated member remote from said part thereof, guide members guiding and supporting said elongated member for said lengthwise displacement, a resiliently extensible means being disposed within said hollow tubular member and connected to and extending between the open end of said hollow tubular member and said part of said elongated member extending into said tubular member and operable for resiliently opposing inward displacement of said elongated member into said tubular member, and limiting connected to and extending between said tubular member and said elongated member for limiting outward displacement of said elongated member with respect to said tubular member.
 2. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 1, wherein the limiting means comprises a rope having two portions, each extending between the first and second handles.
 3. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 1 wherein the elongated member extends freely within the tubular member and a second tubular member is a sliding fit over the first tubular member and is secured to the second handle.
 4. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 1 wherein the guide members comprise a bush located at the end of the hollow tubular member remote from its handle, the bush being apertured to receive the elongated member, a pulley mounted on the end of the elongated member and wherein the resiliently extensible means comprises a resilient cord which passes around the pulley and which is secured at its ends to the bush.
 5. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 4 wherein the resilient cord comprises a multiplicity of synthetic rubber yarns encased by a sheath.
 6. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 4 comprising a guide member attached to the elongated member to inhibit disengagement of the resilient cord from the pulley.
 7. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 1 wherein the guide members comprise a bush located at the end of the hollow tubular member remote from the first handle, a flange located at the end of the elongated member remote from the second handle, the bush being apertured to receive the elongated member and the flange being received as a sliding fit in the hollow tubular member, and wherein the resiliently extensible member is connected to and extending between the bush and the flange.
 8. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 7 wherein the resilient member comprises a single coil spring embracing the elongated member.
 9. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 7 wherein the resilient member comprises a multiplicity of coil springs which are disposed around a second elongated member.
 10. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 7 further comprising an additional resilient member arranged between the flange and the first handle.
 11. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 10 further comprising a further additional resilient member arranged between the bush and the second handle.
 12. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 11 wherein each of the additional resilient members each comprises at least one coil spring.
 13. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 7 further comprising a rod carried by the first handle said rod being received in an aperture in the flange to protrude into the elongated member which is tubular.
 14. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 7 wherein the displacement limiting member comprises a rope having two portions each of said portions extending between the first and second handles.
 15. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 14 wherein the limiting member comprises a rope which is endless and passes through the handles. 